Butrans - Can you build up a tolerance to the patch?

From what I've read, yes you can build up a tolerance to the patch. In my case, I have been wearing the patches for about 12 years. Began on 15 mcg, then after a number of years I began with acupuncture for my migraines. That allowed me to very gradually reduce the patch to 7.5 mcg. Then after surgery 3 years ago, I needed 10 mcg and have stayed on that since. The main reason for the Butrans patches was for severe 24/7 migraines. Several years ago, they came out with a medication that gave me leaps in pain reduction for my migraines. But now I've needed the patches for my fibromyalgia, back pain and other pain syndromes. So very difficult to say in my case if I have noticed any tolerance build up. But to reduce it gives me enough pain that I go back to the 10 mcg. Also if I don't get acupuncture at least every week, my migraines are a little bit worse. And my shoulder tendon that is almost completely detached gives me intense pain. But acupuncture mostly relieves that pain that I would otherwise need surgery. So if you are finding the patches not working as well, you could try acupuncture. Find a place that has Community Acupuncture in the title, because they have very cheap rates. Mine is $20 to $40 a session--no questions asked. The needles are so tiny that you won't feel most of them. And when I feel them due to my fibromyalgia, he just adjusts them, then I don't feel them at all. Also physical therapy has relieved intense pain too. So there are other ways to relieve your pain besides the patches. I usually never hear from anyone having spent my time to answer these. I don't know why I bother. But I do wish you the best.

I know for myself I did build up a tollerance, but the process is very slow compared to oral opioid medications. For example, I was on the 15 microgram per hour patch for 2 years before my dose was increased.